John Day River, Steelhead

Fishing options are 4 day float trips with camping for 4-6 anglers or cabin based trips for 4 anglers that are 3 nights and 3 days fishing. The cabin trips are on a private ranch with lots of river access. There are limited options for single-day trips. All fishing is for summer run steelhead. The John Day has the largest wild run of fish in Oregon.

Arrivals and Departures

There is no set day on arrival and departure unless there is a specific launch day for a float trip. The Cabin based trips have a specific 3 night/3 days fishing schedule.

Accomodations

For anglers looking to have accommodations before and/or after fishing, there are three options - the best current options are Wilson Ranch B & B, the Condon Motel or Hotel Condon.

Non Anglers / Activities

For anglers only.

Airport / Logistics

The nearest airport is Portland, Oregon. You will need to rent a car and drive to the river.

Climate

Daytime temps in the 30's to 50's. As fall progresses it will eventually get colder. It does tend to be dry in this area (as you can see by the sagebrush)

Included

One day trips include lunch, drinks (preferably warm-hot), tackle as needed. Multi-day trips include all meals, tackle as needed, deluxe tent camp or cabin.

Not Included

Day trips do not include - accommodations, transport to the river, license or gratuities. Multi-day trips do not include alcoholic beverages, license, shuttles or transport to Condon.

Currency/Credit Cards

The guides do not take credit cards. The local B &B, motel and hotel do take credit cards.

Gratuities

Bring cash for gratuities. A guideline is 15-20% of the cost of the trip.

Beverages are furnished. You are encouraged to bring your own wine, beer and spirits.

Laundry

No laundry service is available.

Phone, Internet, Power

Phone: no phone

Internet: no internet

Power: 110 volts

This is one of the most spectacular river corridors in the state and home to a wild run of summer Steelhead. They are one of the last true wild runs in the lower 48. November and December are prime times to fly-fish for these incredible fish. Small and intimate with little pressure from other anglers, the river feels like you have it to yourself. It is fun to fish switch rods and smaller spey rods here. The gradient and river speed is slower than most other steelhead rivers. Smaller flies are the norm, with floating line, skating fly and wet fly techniques. This truly is a unique Steelhead experience. The Steelhead run on the John Day doesn't really pick-up until the last week of October. Irrigation makes the water flow on the river very low. When the irrigation shut off is October 15, it takes about two weeks for the flow to pick up and bring in a good push of fish. There are fresh fish entering the river all the way through February.

Running over 280 miles, the John Day River is the second longest free-flowing river in the United States. It is protected as a “Wild and Scenic” river under Oregon Scenic Waterways Act. The country is characterized by steep basalt canyon walls, juniper, and sagebrush dotted hills, abandoned homesteads, and petroglyphs.
Marty and Mia Shepard know the John Day River better than anyone. Their skills as guides, outfitters and anglers make for some memorable days on the water chasing steelhead. The two options are either a single day trip with local B&B accommodations or a multi-day wilderness float covering 45 miles of river in five days. Other length of trips can be arranged depending on scheduling and availability.